I THOUGHT THAT I HAD MADE AN ERROR BY REFERRING TO IT AS CABRA PARK LANE IN THE PAST
It’s a small lane connecting Cabra Park and St. Peter’s Road and it is situated in Phibsborough which is frequently described as a vibrant neighbourhood on Dublin’s Northside.
Previously known as Cabra Park Lane. The recent name change to St. Peter’s Lane is a reference to the nearby St. Peter’s Church, a prominent landmark on the North Circular Road. As a matter of interest there another location for street art on the Southside named Peters Place near Charlemont Tram Stop.
Was An Urban Art Hub
St. Peter’s Lane had gained a reputation as an open-air canvas for street artists and one could expect find vibrant murals, stencils, and other forms of street art adorning its walls, making it an interesting spot for photography enthusiasts. Back before the Covid-19 lockdowns the artwork was ever-changing, so you might find something new on every visit!
Ambiance
The combination of street art and older surrounding architecture once gave the lane a unique and somewhat bohemian atmosphere and as it was much less known than other similar locations it offered a more “local” experience.
How to Find It
If you’re exploring Phibsborough, St. Peter’s Lane is easy to find off St. Peter’s Road or along Cabra Park. Online maps will guide you precisely, and websites like Excellent Street Images (my site) feature extensive photography of the lane’s artwork.
Additional Notes
According to a not so current tourist guide “due to its growing popularity as an artistic spot, expect to encounter other people appreciating or photographing the artwork. However, Like any urban environment, be mindful of your surroundings”.
Today there were three elderly women who appeared lost and somewhat horrified by the condition of the complex of lanes and I was the only photographer.
Quarry Road was originally called Quarry Lane, after a small quarry which was situated near where the current statue of Our Blessed Lady is located at the roundabout with Fassaugh Road (originally Fassaugh Lane.) This quarry was filled in the early part of the 1900s and the family who lived in the Homestead grew cabbages on the reclaimed land.
The real landmark on Quarry Road was the Cabra Grand Cinema which was built in a Art Deco style and had a distinctive neon sign. The interior of the cinema was decorated in a luxurious style, with red velvet seats and a crystal chandelier.
The Cabra Grand Cinema was a popular venue for films in the 1950s and 1960s. It showed a wide variety of films, including Hollywood blockbusters, foreign language films, and arthouse films. The cinema also hosted a number of concerts, including performances by The Ramones, The Skids, and Siouxsie and the Banshees.
In 1975, the Cabra Grand Cinema closed and was converted into a bingo hall. The bingo hall is still in operation today.
The cinema is listed on the Record of Protected Structures by Dublin City Council, which means that it is protected from demolition.
According to some reports the cinema is currently undergoing a renovation and is expected to reopen in 2023 as a mixed-use development with a cinema, a restaurant, and a hotel. However, there was no obvious sign of any ongoing renovation work when I photographed the area today [28 July 2023]